After the storm

We'd been lucky with the weather on our walk this morning, for the most part it was drier and balmier that the weather wizards predictions. Although, as we made our way up Mogshade Hill from the head water of Highland Water in the valley, a gentle rain began to fall. Wherever we walked today broken branches, severed boughs and truncated trees were visual evidence of Storm Dennis' recent passing. Every turn of the wheel brings more desolation to the forest. At one point near Wick Wood, three veteran beech in close proximity to each other had been floored since last we walked this way a couple of weeks back. The face of the forest is changing. Of course change is natural, it's a necessity, though the change, and pace of the change, we're experiencing now is far from natural. It's hard not to be saddened seeing a landscape you love and thought was timeless, disappear. Another lovely walk thoug